Getting Started with hwdVideoShare
From HwdMediaShare Documentation
hwdVideoShare is an open source software application that is written in the PHP programming language. It is an online web application that can be executed & viewed through a web-browser and gives extra video support and functionality to websites. It has been designed specifically for the Joomla! CMS. Joomla is a free open source content management system for publishing content on the World Wide Web and intranets.
The functionality of Joomla can be extended by installing third party extensions. Joomla offers over 3500 extensions that are designed & developed by third party programmers. Generally these developers have no direct affiliation to Joomla. hwdVideoShare is a native third party extension for Joomla.
hwdVideoShare can not be used without Joomla, it is not a stand alone application.
What can it do for you?
hwdVideoShare is a powerful video gallery that allows you to display video media in an organised and managable layout. hwdVideoShare can handle the uploading, server-side processing and playback of large video media in all popular formats.
Webmasters who manage Joomla websites can use hwdVideoShare on their Joomla websites. hwdVideoShare should be used to create an online community of users who share a large number of video media between themselves. If you require software that allows the webmaster to publish and manage a few videos in the administrator, you might find a better solution elsewhere.
What are the key features?
For a full list of features check out our feature list.
Frontend
- Users can upload videos from their own computers
- Users can add videos from other third party websites
- hwdVideoShare uses MENCODER and FFMPEG to convert uploaded videos to flash videos
- Videos are organised and displayed into a searchable, sortable video gallery
- Frontend appearance can be changed using Template Plugins
- Multi-language support
- AJAX support that enables users to interact with the video during playback
- Video Groups that users can join and comment about
- Categories and subcategories
Backend
- Video lists and edit facilities
- Category lists and edit facilities
- Group lists and edit facilities
- Plugin Management System
- System Maintenance Tools
- Notification tools
- Reported 'inappropriate' media management
How does it work?
People commonly ask about how hwdVideoShare works. The main source of confusion lies in the processes between the upload and display of video files on the website.
Uploading and converting local video files
- A: Joomla initiates the hwdVideoShare upload function
hwdVideoShare loads from inside Joomla and uses the power and security of the Joomla system. - B: hwdVideoShare processes the upload
hwdVideoShare uploads the video file from the user's local computer and stores the original on the web server. - C: MENOCDER converts the original to flash video
hwdVideoShare sends a command to MENCODER to convert the original video to flash video and move the new file into the upload directory. The quality, size and other parameters for the new video can be set in the hwdVideoShare General Settings. - D: FLVTOOL2 injects meta data into the flash video
hwdVideoShare sends a command to FLVTOOL2 to insert meta data to the new flash video. - E: FFMPEG creates a thumbnail image of the new video
hwdVideoShare calculates the half way point of the video and sends a command to FFMPEG to create a thumbnail image at this point. - F: Back to hwdVideoShare
If the conversion was successful the video is sent back to hwdVideoShare and the mySQL database is updated. Only at this point will the video be shown on the website.
Adding YouTube (and other third party) videos
- A: Joomla initiates hwdVideoShare upload function
hwdVideoShare loads from inside Joomla and uses the power and security of the Joomla system. - B: hwdVideoShare processes the external Video URL or Embed Code
hwdVideoShare requests the user enters the Video URL or Embed Code of the YouTube page. - C: The YouTube code is extracted
hwdVideoShare determines the unique code of the video that is being added. - D: cURL used to extract video data
hwdVideoShare uses the cURL Library or get_file_contents function to request the video data (such as video title, description and keywords) from the YouTube website. - E: Back to hwdVideoShare
If the third party video information can be extracted correctly the video information is added to the database. The YouTube video will be displayed in hwdVideoShare, but the video file will be stored at YouTube.
Understanding Highwood Design
Highwood Design is the design company that develops and maintains the hwdVideoShare project. It is a small design company that has released hwdVideoShare for the benefit of the Joomla community. We have released the software under the General Public License and charge a small yearly fee for subscription to our website. The subscription gives unrestricted access to updates and new releases. We charge a subscription fee to fund continued development. We do not claim that hwdVideoShare is bug free, if you need a completely stable video solution for your website we recommend you find an alternative solution.
Check the server requirements
hwdVideoShare has server requirements that extend beyond those of Joomla. Your server needs to have these features, otherwise hwdVideoShare will not work.
Check the server recommendations
Highwood Design also gives some advice and lists a number of server recommendations. We strongly recommend you follow this advice.
Before you install hwdVideoShare or subscribe to the hwdMediaShare website STOP! You need to think whether your server is going to support hwdVideoShare. If you are unsure, ask your host for advice. There is no point investing lots of time into hwdVideoShare if your server does not support it. Check our server requirements and read our recommendations.
Do you have the appropriate IT skills?
The technical obstacles in configuring hwdVideoShare go beyond those of Joomla! You will need good HTML, PHP and PERL knowledge to setup the software. Additionally, you need competent server management skills so you can understand the MENCODER and FFMPEG software that is used to convert video files.
Try the component before Subcribing
The hwdVideoShare component is free. Please make sure you try to install it first before subscribing so you get a feel for the software and can use the features. It will give you a good overview of the software and let you know if it is suitable for what you need it for. After this, you can subscribe for the Professional modules, templates and plugins.
Read our disclaimer before you subscribe
Read our disclaimer before you subscribe. The disclaimer exists so you understand what you receive for your money.
Why should I subscribe, what extra do I get?
When you subscribe you get access to the Professional hwdMediaShare modules, templates and plugins. The benefits of subscribing are listed in the feature list.
The hwdVideoShare component can be downloaded for free here:
For documentation that discusses how to install hwdVideoShare please read: Installing_the_hwdVideoShare_Component.
For documentation that discusses how to upgrade hwdVideoShare please read: How_to_upgrade_between_versions_of_hwdVideoShare.
The two main features that require testing in hwdVideoShare are the uploading of video files and the conversion of video files. We have documentation that help the debugging of these two processes:
Once you have configured hwdVideoShare to successfully upload and convert video files you can start to explore the many other features of hwdVideoShare.